USC football: Updated game-by-game predictions for 2020

It will be a strange sight to see this game played so early in the season, but it will be interesting to see such a heated rivalry game so early on and a game that could set the tone for how the season goes for both teams.

This is a big year for UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, as he has not been able to recreate the success that he had over a decade ago with the Oregon Ducks and the Bruins are hoping to get some sort of return on their investment after luring Kelly to Los Angeles. He has enough talent returning for the Bruins to make a bowl game and the non-conference schedule does not include Oklahoma or Cincinnati.

A lot of UCLA’s potential will rest on third year starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He made a lot of improvement in his sophomore season, but there is still plenty of room to get better. The defense will need to make necessary strides as well, as the Bruins have had some of the worst in the country in recent seasons.

After winning three straight from 2012-14, the Bruins have lost four of the last five over the Trojans. The Bruins will be better, but USC has too much offensive firepower.

Final Score: USC 48, UCLA 31 (1-0)

Another week, another in-state rival for the Trojans, but this time, it will come against the most experienced team in the Pac-12 and Cal will also have one of the stingiest defense in the conference that could be a perfect matchup against USC’s offense.

Cal will have a new offensive coordinator in Bill Musgrave, who has extensive NFL experience and will be looking to jumpstart an offense that has been stagnant and the main reason for the Golden Bears’ inability to win more games.

This will not be an easy game, as the Golden Bears will have another tough defense, despite the loss of linebacker Evan Weaver and defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins.

USC has enough firepower to hold off the Golden Bears and get another victory over Cal.

Final Score: USC 38, Cal 23 (2-0)